Method and apparatus for patent valuation

ABSTRACT

Patent valuation method uses discounted present value analysis and statistical adjustment techniques to compute an estimate of the value of a patent or portfolio of patents. The present value of the projected incremental annual income generated by the patent rights is adjusted for the probabilities of actual infringement, the owner&#39;s willingness and ability to enforce the patent rights, and the probabilities that the individual patents will be held not invalid, not unenforceable, and infringed. A formal matrix approach is used to arrive at an estimate of the relative values of the individual patents within the portfolio.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority benefit of provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/380,235, entitled On Patent Valuation, filed May 13, 2002, which application is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for analyzing patent-related information, computing patent valuation information and determining values of patents and patent portfolios, and, in particular, to methods, data processing systems, and articles of manufacture for determining the value of a patent or patent portfolio based on computed patent valuation information.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] Intellectual Property (often referred to as “IP”) plays a key role in many fields of business and can be very valuable. Modem market trends, especially those of the past two decades, have shown an increased awareness and understanding of the need for determining value of intangible assets in general and of intellectual property assets in particular. See Gordon V. Smith & Russell L. Parr, Valuation of Intellectual Property and Intangible Assets (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1989).

[0006] The necessity to value a patent manifests itself many times during the patent's life and even before an application for the patent is filed. Initially, a decision must be made whether to file a patent application or keep the invention as a trade secret. It may be advantageous to repeat the valuation one or more times during the prosecution of the patent application to reflect the changing probabilities of issuance of the desired patent, particularly before the patent application is published. Valuation may be repeated again before the patent issue fee is paid, and yet again before each payment of periodic maintenance fees. Once issued, a patent may need to be valued in the context of a sale, an exclusive or non-exclusive licensing transaction, settlement of patent infringement litigation, patent sale and lease- or license-back transaction, charitable donation to a university or another non-profit institution, or post-issuance proceedings in the Patent & Trademark Office, such as reissue and reexamination proceedings. A patent may also need to be valued during a public offering, venture capital transaction, merger, acquisition, divestiture, bankruptcy or other capital restructuring events of the entity that owns the patent, or when the patent is pledged as collateral for a loan.

[0007] While all intellectual property assets are subject to unforeseen factors and managerial decisions regarding licensing and sale, patents are subject to a particularly wide range of decisions, both during the application process and following grant. Thus, patents exhibit a high degree of uncertainty as to their eventual value. See Robert Pitkethly, The Valuation of Patents: A Review of Patent Valuation Methods with Consideration of Option Based Methods and the Potential for Further Research (Judge Institute Working Paper WP 21/97, The Judge Institute of Management Studies, Cambridge, UK, 1997), incorporated herein by reference. Patent valuation is particularly difficult because of two factors: (1) the uncertainties about both the technical and commercial successes of the underlying technology in competitive markets, and (2) the potential for legal challenges that can occur both during the commercial application of the patented technology and during subsequent patent enforcement efforts.

[0008] The absence of efficient markets for trading patents—markets with many buyers, many sellers, and wide availability of information affecting prices—makes it difficult to value patents. Many consultants, writers, and other experts on the subject of patent valuation have proposed assigning a value to a patent by using techniques that seem to be reasonably well suited for the valuation of technology, but that appear to be ill suited for the valuation of patents protecting technology. Typically, when called upon to value a particular patent or patent portfolio, these experts value the underlying technology and present the result as the value of the patent or portfolio. Technology, however, is distinct from the patents that it underlies. Technology is knowledge that deals with applied science, engineering, or business methods as distinguished from patents, which are legal rights of exclusion. Technology can exist independent of patents and may be protected by other types of IP such trade secrets and know-how, for example. Therefore, the methods of valuation applicable to a technology may not provide adequate results when applied to valuation of the patents protecting the technology.

[0009] Another approach employed to value patents is the application of the “real options pricing theory” and the so-called Black-Scholes equation. In this approach, a parallel is drawn between the commodity-option relationship and technology-patent relationship. It is argued that what works (or should work) in valuing options, should also work in valuing patents. A patent, however, is unlike a commodity option in that it grants no affirmative rights, but rather it grants a negative right: the right to exclude others from exploiting the patented invention. The parallel between commodity options and patents, therefore, is not entirely justified, and the Black-Scholes pricing approach may not yield satisfactory results in many circumstances when it is applied to valuation of patents. This is not to say that a real option approach is not at all applicable to patents. When an inventor (or a manger) makes a decision to file a patent application, he or she thereby acquires an option on paying the issue fee (if the patent is allowed) and having the patents issue. Paying the issue fee, one acquires an option on a subsequent decision to pay a maintenance fee to keep the patent alive, etc. Although, a patent is not an option on the patented technology, a patent may be viewed as an option on enforcing patent monopoly, i.e. an option to file a lawsuit for patent infringement.

[0010] A need thus exists for intellectual property valuation methods that are based on the attributes of the property valued. A further need exists for intellectual property valuation techniques that produce analytical results reflective of real world risks, opportunities, and outcomes.

SUMMARY

[0011] The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses that satisfy these needs. In one version, a method for computing a patent valuation estimate for a patent portfolio is disclosed. The applicable period of the portfolio is broken into subperiods, such as years, months, or weeks. For each of these years, a determination is made of the expected annual (i.e., subperiodic) profits derived from the patent monopoly provided by the portfolio. In one version, the profits are calculated as the unit volume multiplied by the difference between the unit price of the units covered by the monopoly sold and the unit cost of goods that are required to produce the units. Note that “goods” here can be services or anything else covered by the patent monopoly from which revenue is derived. A second determination of the profits is made for a hypothetical case of non-existence of the patent monopoly. The difference between the profits under the patent monopoly and the profits in the hypothetical case of no monopoly is then considered as the incremental value of the patent portfolio during a given subperiod (e.g., year, month).

[0012] In another version, the incremental value is simply the royalties brought by the portfolio.

[0013] Next, applicable discount interest rates are determined (e.g., estimated) for each subperiod. Often, the discount rates can be assumed to be constant for all the subperiods.

[0014] Each of the incremental values is discounted to present value using the interest rate applicable to the year of the specific incremental value. Thus, the present value of the incremental value Δ_(i) of the ith year is discounted to yield the present value of Δ_(i)/(1+I_(i)), where I_(i) is the interest rate to be applied to the ith year. The interest rates are determined to reflect not only the cost of funds, i.e., safe investments, but also the uncertainties associated with forecasting future revenues and other risks to the patent portfolio, such as potential future infringement.

[0015] The present values of all the discounted incremental values are then aggregated, that is added up, to yield the present value of the patent portfolio.

[0016] The process can be carried further to risk-adjust the estimated present value of the portfolio. The adjustment can account for the probability that the portfolio will be infringed by a competitor, the probability that the owner of the portfolio will not be willing or financially able to enforce the patent rights under the portfolio, and the probability that in the event of litigation against the infringer, the individual patents will be found not infringed, not valid, or unenforceable.

[0017] In one version, the adjustment is performed by multiplying the present value of the portfolio by the following adjustment factor: $\left( {1 - {G_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E_{a} \times E_{w} \times \left( {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)}} \right).$

[0018] Here, G_(i) stands for the probability that the portfolio will be infringed during its lifetime (or another period applicable to the determination of the estimated value). The symbols E_(a) and E_(w) refer to the probabilities that the owner will be willing and financially able to enforce the portfolio, respectively. And the symbols F_(v) ^(j), F_(i) ^(j), and F_(e) ^(j) refer to the probabilities that the jth patent will be found valid, infringed, and enforceable, respectively.

[0019] In some versions, the probabilities F_(v) ^(j), F_(i) ^(j), and F_(e) ^(j) can be set to be constant across the patents of the portfolio; in other words, F_(v) ^(j)=Constant A for all j; F_(i) ^(j)=Constant B for all j; and F_(e) ^(j)=Constant C for all j.

[0020] When patent validity/enforceability insurance and infringement abatement insurance is available, the adjustment of the present value is carried slightly differently in some versions of the inventive methods. For example, if such insurance is in place, each of the E_(a) and E_(w) probabilities can be set to unity. Moreover, if we deduct the cost of the validity insurance from the present value estimate of the portfolio, the probabilities F_(v) ^(j) and F_(e) ^(j) can be set to unity values as well, because there is no risk of financial loss due to invalidity or unenforceability. The adjustment factor then becomes ${{RAF} = \left( \left( {1 - {G_{i} \times {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - F_{i}^{j}} \right)}}} \right) \right)},$

[0021] and the risk-adjusted present value estimate AdjPV(PP) is computed from the following formula: AdjPV(PP)=RAF×PV(PP)−InsPV, where PV(PP) is the unadjusted present value estimate, and InsPV is the present value of the insurance premium to be paid over the applicable period.

[0022] These and other features and aspects of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCIRPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, in simplified block diagram form;

[0024]FIG. 2A illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method for computing an estimate of the total value of a patent portfolio, in accordance with the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 2B illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method for computing an estimate of the present value of a patent portfolio, in accordance with the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method for computing minimum and maximum value estimates of a patent portfolio, in accordance with the present invention;

[0027]FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a simplified flowchart of a method for computing an estimate of risk-adjusted present value of a patent portfolio, in accordance with the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method for computing estimates of the net present value and the internal rate of return of a patent portfolio, in accordance with the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method for computing an estimate of risk-adjusted present value of an infringed patent portfolio, in accordance with the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 7 illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method for computing an estimate of the risk-adjusted value of a licensing opportunity, in accordance with the present invention; and

[0031]FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a simplified flowchart of a method for estimating the value of an individual constituent patent of a patent portfolio.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to several versions of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale.

[0033] Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram representation of a valuation system 100 in accordance with the present invention. The figure does not show many of the system's hardware and software modules, and omits many physical and logical connections. The system 100 can be implemented with a special purpose data processor, a general-purpose computer, a computer system, or a group of networked computers or computer systems configured to perform the steps of the methods of the invention, to generate and process patent valuation information and to assign value estimates to patents and patent portfolios. In one embodiment, the system 100 is built on a personal computer platform, such as a Wintel PC or a Mac computer. In another embodiment, the system 100 is a computer network within a client/server environment. In yet another embodiment the system 100 is implemented on the Internet, an intranet or an extranet.

[0034] The system 100 executes instructions causing it to perform the steps of the methods described below, receiving the inputs and producing the results as indicated. The instructions may take the form of program code embodied in tangible media, such as hard drives, floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, DVD, or any other machine-readable storage medium. The program code can also be transmitted over a transmission medium, for example, over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, through the Internet, wirelessly, or via any other form of transmission.

[0035] With reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a processor 110 that can perform the processing routines and control functions of the methods in accordance with the invention. The system 100 also includes memory arrays 120 and 130, and a mass storage device 180. In the illustrated embodiment, the memory array 120 is a read only memory (ROM) device, the memory array 130 is a random access memory (RAM) device, and the mass storage device 180 is a magnetic disk drive. The mass storage device 180 and each of the memory arrays 120 and 130 are connected to the processor 110.

[0036] A user input device 140 is used to enter data or commands into the system 100. The input device 140 can include one or more of the following mechanisms: a keyboard; a scanner; a user pointing device such as, for example, a mouse, a trackball, or a touch pad. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the user input device 140 is connected to the processor 110. The user input device 140 may be connected to the processor 110 directly, through a local area network (LAN), through a wide area network (WAN) through a wired or wireless network, through the Internet, an intranet or an extranet.

[0037] The system 100 can also include a database 160 for storing the data that may be needed or desired in performing the method steps described in this document. The database can be a physically separate system coupled to the processor 110, as illustrated. In one version of the system 100, the processor 110 and the mass storage device 180 perform the functions of the database 160.

[0038] The system 100 can further include one or more output devices, for example, a display 150 and a printer 170. The output devices provide information, such as computational results, to the user. The one or more output devices may be located in a different location than the processor 110 and may be connected to the processor 110 directly or through a local area network (LAN), through a wide are network (WAN) through a wired or wireless network, through the Internet, an intranet or an extranet.

[0039] In one embodiment, the system 100 performs the steps of processes that assign value to patents and patent portfolios as a function of the difference between (1) the profits derived from the sales of the patented products, processes, and services under the patent monopoly; and (2) the profits derived from the same products, processes, and services in a hypothetical freely-competitive environment without patent protection. The profits may be net or gross profits. In another embodiment, the incremental annual value of the patent monopoly may be approximated as the difference between gross revenues obtained under the patent monopoly and the corresponding gross revenues obtained under the hypothetical conditions without patent protection.

[0040]FIG. 2A is a simplified flowchart diagram of one patent value estimation process in accordance with the present invention. The process, which can be used to assign a value to a patent or patent portfolio, starts at step 200. At step 201, the variables or assumptions relating to the determination of the patent value are set and provided to the patent valuation system, for example, the system 100 of FIG. 1. The nature of the variables and assumptions made will become apparent from the discussion of the individual steps below.

[0041] At step 202, the annual values AV_(i)(P) of a patent (P) for years (i) of its statutory life (or another applicable period) are determined. In this computation, the annual value for a given year i is the difference between the profits <PRFT>, derived from the sales of a patented product or service under the monopoly afforded by the patent, and the corresponding profits PRFT_(i) in a freely competitive environment without protection of the patents:

AV _(i)(P)=<PRFT> _(i) −PRFT _(i).   (1)

[0042] (Note that in the above formula and elsewhere in this document the angular brackets < > denote a parameter under the patent monopoly.)

[0043] Expanded, the formula appears like this:

AV _(i)(P)=(<PR> _(i) −<CG> _(i))×<S> _(i)−(PR _(i) −CG _(i))×S _(i),   (2)

[0044] where <PR>_(i) is the unit price of the patented product, service, or process (generically referred to as “goods” hereinafter) under monopolistic conditions in the given year i; <CG>_(i) is the cost of a unit of goods under the monopolistic conditions in the year i; <S>_(i) is the market share under the monopolistic conditions during the same year within the term of patent monopoly, expressed as the sales volume of the patented goods (e.g., units); and PR_(i), CG_(i), and S_(i) are respectively the price, cost of goods sold, and the sales volume of the same goods in the same year i, but in a hypothetical freely-competitive environment without the benefit of the monopoly afforded by the patent. In assigning values to these variables, we can assume optimal pricing in each case, i.e., pricing that maximizes profits in both the case of patent monopoly and the case of a market without patent protection. Such optimal prices may be determined by analyzing the demand curve for the goods with and without patent protection. Alternative pricing assumptions can, of course, be made as well.

[0045] The computation of step 203 produces the total value of the patent over its expected life. This is accomplished by summing the annual results produced in step 202 over the applicable period, i.e., the period over which valuation estimate is sought: $\begin{matrix} {{V(P)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\quad {\left( {{\langle{PRFT}\rangle}_{i} - {PRFT}_{i}} \right)\quad {or}}}} & (3) \\ {{{V(P)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\quad \left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {{\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i} \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} - {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}}} \right\rbrack}},} & (4) \end{matrix}$

[0046] where <PR>_(i), <CG>_(i), <S>_(i), PR_(i), CG_(i), and S_(i) are values as in expressions (1) and (2) above, and V(P) is the total value the patent is expected to produce over the applicable period of l years. In other words, the total patent value is the sum of the incremental values of the patent monopoly on an annual basis over the applicable period of computation. Such applicable period may by the remaining statutory life of the patent (i.e. number of years left until the patent's expiration), the remaining expected economic life of the goods or any other applicable period. The periods for which the incremental value of the patent monopoly is computed and then summed may be annual periods, monthly periods (to account for the fact that the patent may issue and expire in expire in any months of the year) or any other applicable periods,

[0047] Using a slightly different notation, the total value of the patent is computed as follows: $\begin{matrix} {{{V(P)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\quad \Delta_{i}}},} & (5) \end{matrix}$

[0048] where Δ_(i) is the incremental value of patent monopoly in year i, that is:

Δ_(i) =<PRFT> _(i) −PRFT _(i)   (6)

[0049] or

Δ_(i)=(<PR> _(i) −<CG> _(i))×<S>_(i)−(PR _(i) −CG _(i))×S _(i).   (7)

[0050] Typically, the applicable period begins with the current year or the year of a proposed transaction, and ends with the year of the patent's expiration, or the estimated year when the value of the patented technology vanishes. Technological obsolescence, changing tastes, and other factors may shorten the useful life of the goods. The average economic life of a new product (before the underlying technology becomes obsolete) is only about five years. In this case, the summations of formulas (3) and (4) may have fewer terms than years left in the statutory life of the patent, as the sales volume eventually dwindles to zero. Nevertheless, for licensing purposes, the patent is enforceable during its entire term, and as long as patent claims can be read on available goods, licensing royalties may be due and the patent may have value beyond the economic life of the underlying technology. In this case, we can modify the above expressions by including licensing revenues in the term <PRFT>_(i). The applicable period of course can also be terminated by events other than patent expiration or obsolescence: for example, a patent may be invalidated by court before its term expires, or a corporate restructuring may be contemplated sooner than the date of the patent expiration.

[0051] The annual incremental values Ai may change over the life of the patent. Such changes may result, for example, from product promotion, change in the cost of goods used for the manufacture of the product, the availability and cost of substitute products, and general economic conditions. All such factors may be taken into account when forecasting present values by the expressions given above for V(P).

[0052] The result of the computation of step 203 is then displayed (or otherwise outputted) in step 204. The result ca also be stored or transmitted to another system. In step 203, the result may be transmitted over the Internet or another network before being displayed or otherwise outputted.

[0053] Note that the result computed in the process illustrated in FIG. 2A is the total value produced by the patent over a period, i.e., the sum of the incremental profits attributable to the patent monopoly. In the real world, some nonzero interest or discount rate is generally assumed for financial transactions, i.e., it is the present value that matters for decision-making purposes. FIG. 2B illustrates a simplified flowchart of a process for assigning a present value estimate to a patent.

[0054] Steps 200, 201, and 202 of the flowchart in FIG. 2B are similar to the identically-numbered steps of the flowchart in FIG. 2A. Note, however, that the parameters provided in step 201 now include the applicable discount rate I or rates I_(i).

[0055] In step 203 each of the annual values is discounted, based on the year and the discount rate: $\begin{matrix} {{{AVD}_{i}(P)} = {\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}} & (8) \end{matrix}$

[0056] In the latest expression, AVD_(i)(P) stands for the discounted present value brought by the patent in the ith year.

[0057] The present value is computed by summing the discounted annual values in step 204. These are the computational formulas: $\begin{matrix} {{{{PV}(P)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\quad \frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}},{or}} & (9) \\ {{{PV}(P)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\quad {\frac{{\langle{PRFT}\rangle}_{i} - {PRFT}_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}\quad {or}}}} & (10) \\ {{{PV}(P)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\quad {\frac{\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {{\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i} \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} - {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}}} \right.}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}}} & (11) \end{matrix}$

[0058] In the preceding three expressions, I_(i) is the discount interest rate for the year i. This discount rate may reflect not only the cost of money and the traditional uncertainties associated with the forecast of future revenues, but also the risk of potential patent infringement that may threaten the patent in the future—if the patent is invalidated or is not enforced, the incremental value of the patent monopoly may vanish. This can merit an increase in the applicable discount rate.

[0059] In step 205, the result for the present value is displayed or otherwise outputted. The result may also be stored, e.g., in the database 160, or transmitted to another system. In step 205, the result may be transmitted over the Internet or another network before being displayed or otherwise outputted.

[0060] In a simplified case similar to an ordinary annuity, where the incremental annual value of the patent monopoly Δ_(i) and the annual discount rate I_(i) remain constant (Δ_(i)=Δ and I_(i)=I) throughout the applicable period, expression (9) can be written as $\begin{matrix} {{{PV}(P)} = {{\Delta \left\lbrack \frac{1 - \left\lbrack \frac{1}{\left( {1 + I} \right)^{l}} \right\rbrack}{I} \right\rbrack}.}} & (12) \end{matrix}$

[0061] To work out a simple numerical example, let us assume that a patent that secures a limited monopoly yields a constant incremental annual value of Δ, has a remaining life of seventeen years (l=17), and the applicable discount rate is twenty-five percent (I=0.25). The present value of this patent becomes ${{PV}(P)} = {{\Delta \left\lbrack \frac{1 - \left\lbrack \frac{1}{\left( {1 + 0.25} \right)^{17}} \right\rbrack}{0.25} \right\rbrack} = {3.9\quad {\Delta.}}}$

[0062] For Δ=$1,000,000, I=25% and l=17 years, the present value of the patent is $3,909,928. In general, interest rates between about 10% and about 50% are appropriate for patent valuation, and it is a good rule of thumb to multiply the constant incremental annual value of a patent monopoly by about 3.9 to obtain an estimate of the value of the patent or portfolio. Or, for every additional million dollars in the incremental annual value of patent monopoly, the overall patent value increases by approximately four (or, more precisely, 3.9) million dollars.

[0063] The above expressions have been derived under the assumption that the patented product is protected by one patent. Nevertheless, similar expressions also describe the value of a patent portfolio protecting patented goods, regardless of the number of patents in the portfolio. Simply put, the value of the patent portfolio protecting a market monopoly can often be determined by the annual incremental values of this monopoly, appropriately discounted, regardless of the number of patents in the portfolio. This notion reflects the fact that two or more patents afford their owner at least the same degree of exclusivity as a single patent that protects the same product, service, or process. The principles of the present invention can therefore be used to estimate total and present values of a patent portfolio.

[0064] For completeness, here are the expressions for determining the total value V(PP) of a patent portfolio PP: $\begin{matrix} {{{V\left( {P\quad P} \right)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\quad \left( {{\langle{PRFT}\rangle}_{i} - {PRFT}_{i}} \right)}}\quad,\quad {or}} & (13) \\ {{{V\left( {P\quad P} \right)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\left\lbrack {{\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} - {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}}} \right\rbrack}},{or}} & (14) \\ {{{V\left( {P\quad P} \right)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\quad \Delta_{i}}},} & (15) \end{matrix}$

[0065] The analytical expressions for determining the present value PV(PP) of a patent portfolio PP also parallel those for determining the present value of a single patent. Initially, the annual value AV_(i)(PP) for each of the I years of the portfolio's life (or another applicable period) is computed as the difference between the profits brought by the sales of the goods under the conditions of monopoly, and the profits in the absence of the monopoly:

AV _(i)(PP)=<PRFT> _(i) −PRFT _(i).   (16)

[0066] In our alternative notation, this expression becomes

AV _(i)(PP)=Δ_(i).   (17)

[0067] Next, the annual values are discounted to obtain AVD_(i)(PP), the annual present values for the years of the applicable period: $\begin{matrix} {{{AVD}_{i}\left( {P\quad P} \right)} = \quad {\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}} & (18) \end{matrix}$

[0068] The present value PV(PP) of the portfolio is then obtained as the sum of the discounted present values of incremental annual components, as follows: $\begin{matrix} {{{{PV}({PP})} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left( {{\langle{PRFT}_{i}\rangle} - {PRFT}_{i}} \right)}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}},{or}} & (19) \\ {{{{PV}({PP})} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left\lbrack {{\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} - {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}}} \right\rbrack}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}},{or}} & (20) \\ {{{PV}({PP})} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}}} & (21) \end{matrix}$

[0069] Similarly to the case of a single patent, the discount interest rate I_(i) applied to the projected income stream may reflect the returns available on safer investments, and the additional business risks associated with the portfolio, such as the risk of infringement and the uncertainties of patent infringement litigation.

[0070] The similarity of expressions for the patent valuation and patent portfolio valuation cases shows that the processes of FIGS. 2A and 2B apply to the latter case as well.

[0071] The processes and expressions described above work well in the paradigm where competitors respect the intellectual property rights of each other and do not infringe each other's patents. In the real world, where patent infringement is a commonplace reality, patent monopoly is often challenged by an infringing competitor and has to be enforced in court. The uncertainties of litigation can be reflected in choosing a higher discount rate to calculate the present value estimate of a patent or patent portfolio in accordance with expressions (1) through (21) on an ad hoc basis. But these uncertainties can be handled in a more objective, rigorous, and precise manner by using additional principles of the present invention, as described below. Furthermore, in certain instances it is difficult to forecast accurately the parameters affecting the computation of the value estimate of a patent. In such cases, it may be useful at least to ascertain the range of numbers that represent the minimum and maximum values of the patent. For these reasons, we turn to the processes for determining, assigning, or estimating value of patents and patent portfolios under real world conditions.

[0072] Many inventions can be designed around. By this I mean that an alternative solution to the problem solved by the patented technology can be found, and that the solution will not infringe the patent or portfolio protecting the technology. The cost of such alternative solution, if the solution is successful, effectively places an upper limit on the value of the patent or portfolio. Indeed, any potential patent buyer or licensee faces a dilemma: (1) to buy or license a patent, or (2) to attempt to design around the patent. Because an attempt to design around carries with it the twin possibilities of failure and cost overruns, the cost of the design around attempt (C_(da)), probability of failure (P_(fa)), and the cost overrun factor (P_(co)) affect the upper limit imposed by the possibility of design around efforts. Furthermore, even if the design around efforts are successful, the owner of the patent or portfolio may still enjoy the first mover advantage, i.e., the opportunity to act first and affect the outcome of the competitive process. We will denote the value of the first mover advantage as FMA.

[0073] Given all these factors, the maximum value of a patent or portfolio can be derived from the next equation:

max(PV)=FMA+C _(da)×(1+P _(co))+P _(f) ×CNEL,   (22)

[0074] with CNEL denoting the cost of a non-exclusive license. Because the cost of a non-exclusive license should not exceed the value of the patent, we assume the worst case scenario—non-exclusive license is unavailable—and substitute the maximum value of the patent for CNEL. The above equation then takes this form:

max(PV)=FMA+C _(da)×(1+P _(co))+P _(f)×max(PV).   (23)

[0075] Solving this equation for max(PV), we obtain the following result: $\begin{matrix} {{\max \quad ({PV})} = {\frac{{C_{da} \times \left( {1 + P_{co}} \right)} + {FMA}}{\left( {1 - P_{f}} \right)}.}} & (24) \end{matrix}$

[0076] Note that in this equation, the cost overrun factor P_(co) reflects both the probabilities of various overruns and their magnitudes. In one exemplary process, P_(co) is the statistical expectation of cost overruns.

[0077] We now proceed to estimate the minimum value of a patent or patent portfolio. The minimum value of a patent can be gauged from two factors. First, when a patent application is initially filed, a calculated decision has (or should have) been made to exchange the value of the trade secret related to the invention for the value of the future patent protection. At the very least, a patent should be worth as much as the related trade secret.

[0078] Second, the monopoly or other advantage afforded by the trade secret is limited by the economic life of the underlying invention, which is usually shorter than the statutory life of a patent. The advantage is further limited by the possibility that a competitor will discover the trade secret adventitiously or by reverse engineering the product containing the trade secret. This factor can limit the value of the trade secret to the first mover advantage. Consequently, in one method in accordance with the present invention, the minimum value min(PV) of a patent or portfolio is estimated as equal to the value of the trade secrets disclosed in the patent application(s). In another method in accordance with the present invention, the minimum value of the patent or portfolio is estimated as the value of the first mover advantage. Using the third method in accordance with the present invention, the minimum value of a patent or portfolio is estimated as the lower of the two values, i.e., the value of the trade secrets and the value of the first mover advantage.

[0079] The system 100 can calculate the maximum and minimum values of the patent or patent portfolio from the information entered by the user, stored internally, in the database 160, or otherwise made available to the system. The computed maximum and minimum values can then be provided to the user, for example, via the display device 150 or the output device 170 or served to the user via the Internet. The values can also be stored for future use. The flowchart of FIG. 3 illustrates the steps of the process for computing the maximum and minimum values of a patent or patent portfolio, in a simplified manner. Step descriptions in the flowchart are self-explanatory.

[0080] Recall that the estimate of the present value of a patent portfolio was described by these expressions, derived above: $\begin{matrix} {{{{PV}({PP})} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left( {{\langle{PRFT}_{i}\rangle} - {PRFT}_{i}} \right)}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}},{or}} & (19) \\ {{{{PV}({PP})} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left\lbrack {{\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} - {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}}} \right\rbrack}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}},{or}} & (20) \\ {{{PV}({PP})} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}}} & (21) \end{matrix}$

[0081] The expressions are analytically accurate, but they do not reflect the real world problem of patent infringement. Infringement, however, is commonplace, and the value of the patent or patent portfolio can be corrected for its possibility. As noted above, we can of course use a higher discount rate in expressions (19)-(21) on an ad hoc basis, to reflect potential infringement. Alternatively, we can account for the vicissitudes of real world in a more rigorous manner. In doing so, we focus on three related factors: (1) the probability G_(i)(a k a P_(i) in the appended claims) that patent rights will be infringed, (2) the probability E that the patent owner will enforce the patent rights in the event of infringement, and (3) the probability F that the patent owner will prevail in court.

[0082] Assuming that the three probabilities G_(i), E, and F are statistically independent, the universe of present value outcomes can be divided into two sets. The first set of outcomes is when the patent rights are not infringed. It has the probability of (1−G_(i)) associated with it, and the present value need not be adjusted for either E or F, because neither the patent owner's willingness to enforce the patent rights nor its ability to enforce the rights affects the financial results. The second set of outcomes is when the patent rights are indeed infringed. The probability of this set of outcomes is G_(i) by definition. In this latter case, the financial results are directly affected by the probabilities E and F. The probabilities G_(i), E, and F can therefore be combined into an adjustment factor ((1−G_(i))+G_(i)×E×F)=(1−G_(i)×(1−E×F)) for multiplying the previously obtained value estimates.

[0083] With this in mind, the expressions (19)-(21) can now be rewritten to provide equations for determining the adjusted present value AdjPV(PP) of patent rights: $\begin{matrix} {{{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\left\lbrack {1 - {G_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times F}} \right)}} \right\rbrack \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left( {{\langle{PRFT}_{i}\rangle} - {PRFT}_{i}} \right)}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}}},} & (25) \\ {{{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\left\lbrack {1 - {G_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times F}} \right)}} \right\rbrack \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left\lbrack {{\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} - {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}}} \right\rbrack}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}}},{and}} & (26) \\ {{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\left\lbrack {1 - {G_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times F}} \right)}} \right\rbrack \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}}}} & (27) \end{matrix}$

[0084] The probability E that the patent owner will enforce the patents depends mainly on two factors: (1) the owner's willingness to do so, herein termed as E_(w); and (2) the owner's financial ability to do so, herein termed as E_(a). For example, a patent owned by a hypothetical Japanese corporation that is known not to enforce its patents is worth (to the owner) less than a similar patent owned by a hypothetical US corporation that is known to enforce its patents vigorously. Likewise, a patent owned by an individual without the financial ability to bankroll expensive patent infringement litigation is worth less than a similar patent owned by a well financed corporation having sufficient resources to enforce its patent.

[0085] In accordance with the principles of the present invention, these factors of willingness E_(w) and ability E_(a) may be taken into account when estimating the probability of patent enforcement E. If these two factors are independent, the total probability of enforcement E is the product of these two factors:

E=E _(w) ×E _(a).   (28)

[0086] When the patent owner is absolutely determined to enforce the patent rights, E_(w)=1. Similarly, when an infringement abatement insurance policy, which pays for the litigation expenses in the even of infringement, has been purchased, E_(a)=1.

[0087] The probability F of prevailing at trial is also a product of several factors, which include: (a) the probabilities F_(i) that a particular patent will be found infringed; (b) the probability F_(v) that the patent will be found not invalid (for simplicity, we will avoid the double negative and use the more convenient albeit less precise valid hereinafter); and (c) the probability F_(e) that the patent will not be found unenforceable (we will once again dispense with the double negative and use enforceable hereinafter).

[0088] Historically, the probability F_(i) that a given patent will be found infringed is about sixty-six percent (66%). The probability F_(v) that a given patent will be found valid is about sixty-seven percent (67%). And the probability F_(e) that a given patent will be found enforceable is about eighty-eight percent (88%). Strictly speaking, these probabilities are not statistically independent, as historical data show that judges rule in favor of the same party on all issues in 74 percent of cases, and juries in 86 percent of cases. See Samson Vermont, “Business Risk Analysis: The Economics of Patent Litigation,” in From Ideas to Assets: Investing Wisely in Intellectual Property (Bruce Berman, ed, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York). But, in some of the derivations to follow, we will assume that the probabilities are independent.

[0089] Assuming the statistical independence of F_(i), F_(v), and F_(e), the probability that a particular patent P^(j) will be found (1) valid, (2) infringed, and (3) enforceable, is the product of these three probabilities:

F ^(j) =F _(v) ^(j) ×F _(i) ^(j) ×F _(e) ^(j).   (29)

[0090] Consequently, the probability G^(j) that the same patent will not be found valid, infringed, and enforceable is

G ^(j)=1−F ^(j)≡1−F _(v) ^(j) ×F _(i) ^(j) ×F _(e) ^(j).   (30)

[0091] Assuming that the probabilities F^(j) are statistically independent for different patents, the probability G_(portfolio) that none of the patents in the portfolio of n patents will be found valid, infringed, and enforceable (all three), is described by this expression: $\begin{matrix} {G_{portfolio} = {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad {\left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)\quad {\left( {\Pi \quad {denotes}\quad {multiplication}} \right).}}}} & (31) \end{matrix}$

[0092] It follows then that the probability F_(portfolio) that at least one patent in the portfolio will be found valid, infringed, and enforceable is $\begin{matrix} {F_{portofolio} = {{1 - G_{portfoilio}} \equiv {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad {\left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right).}}}}} & (32) \end{matrix}$

[0093] Substituting the above expression into expressions (25)-(27), we get the following expressions for the present value computation: $\begin{matrix} {{{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times \left( {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left( {{\langle{PRFT}_{i}\rangle} - {PRFT}_{i}} \right)}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}}},} & (33) \end{matrix}$

$\begin{matrix} {{{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times \left( {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left\lbrack {{\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} - {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}}} \right\rbrack}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}}},{and}} & (34) \end{matrix}$

$\begin{matrix} {{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times \left( {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}}}} & (35) \end{matrix}$

[0094] If we assume that the individual probabilities are the same for all patents (F_(v) ^(j)=F_(v), F_(i) ^(j)=F_(i), and F_(e) ^(j)=F_(e) for all j) in the portfolio, the expression (32) reduces to

F _(portfolio)=1−(1−F _(v) ×F _(i) ×F _(e))^(n).   (36)

[0095] Substituting this expression into expressions (25)-(27), we get these results: $\begin{matrix} {{{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times \left( {1 - \left( {1 - {F_{v} \times F_{i} \times F_{e}}} \right)^{n}} \right)}} \right)}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left( {{\langle{PRFT}_{i}\rangle} - {PRFT}_{i}} \right)}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}}},} & (37) \end{matrix}$

$\begin{matrix} {{{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times \left( {1 - \left( {1 - {F_{v} \times F_{i} \times F_{e}}} \right)^{n}} \right)}} \right)}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left\lbrack {{\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} - {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}}} \right\rbrack}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}}},{and}} & (38) \end{matrix}$

$\begin{matrix} {{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times \left( {1 - \left( {1 - {F_{v} \times F_{i} \times F_{e}}} \right)^{n}} \right)}} \right)}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}}}} & (39) \end{matrix}$

[0096] Some of the individual probability parameters can often be adjusted to reflect the specific circumstances of particular patents. For example, the probabilities of validity F_(v) and of enforceability F_(e) of a patent that has emerged relatively unscathed from reexamination proceedings in the Patent & Trademark Office can be adjusted upwards to reflect this event. Similarly, these probabilities should also be adjusted upwards for a patent that has successfully withstood previous litigation.

[0097] The above expressions can be further simplified by using historical data showing that patentees prevail in approximately fifty-eight percent (58%) of cases. More specifically, patentees prevail in approximately fifty-one percent (51%) of bench trials and in sixty-eight percent (68%) of jury trials. Since the plaintiff always has the option to demand jury trial, it is reasonable to assume the higher probability of 68% to be able to prevail at trial. Inserting this probability into expression (39) yields: $\begin{matrix} {{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times 0.68}} \right)}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}}}} & (40) \end{matrix}$

[0098] Expression (33)-(40) provide reasonably good estimates of the patent portfolio value in general, based on the assumption that no infringement is known at the time the estimates are made.

[0099] The risk of infringement can be effectively managed by purchasing patent insurance policies. These come in at least two major varieties: (1) patent validity policies that pay if the insured patent is invalidated; and (2) infringement abatement policies that pay for litigation expenses in the event the insured patent is infringed. Both kinds of policies have been available from various insurance companies. The availability of these policies allows us to simplify the valuation analysis further.

[0100] First, we assume that the owner of patents covered by infringement abatement policies is determined to enforce the patents. Thus, E_(w)=1. Moreover, we eliminate the probability factor E_(a) associated with the ability of the owner to enforce the patents and, instead, subtract the cost of the infringement abatement policies from the estimated value of the portfolio. We can further eliminate the probabilities that the patent will be found valid F_(v) and enforceable F_(e) from the analysis, and instead subtract the cost of the patent validity insurance from the estimate of the portfolio's value. Finally, we assume that the probability of finding infringement F_(i) is about 0.66; as mentioned earlier, this figure is borne out by statistical studies. Incorporating these assumptions into our previous results yields this expression: $\begin{matrix} {{{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {{{\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - 0.66} \right)}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}} - A - B} = {{\left( {1 - {0.34P_{i}}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}} - A - B}}},} & (41) \end{matrix}$

[0101] where A denotes the cost of the patent validity insurance, and B denotes the cost of the infringement abatement insurance.

[0102] A patent validity policy or an infringement abatement policy insures only the patent for which it is purchased. For expression (41) to be valid, all patents in the portfolio should be insured. Assuming that A_(j) is the cost of the validity policy and B_(j) is the cost of the infringement abatement policy for the patent P_(j), the net present value estimate of a patent portfolio is $\begin{matrix} {{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {{\left( {1 - {0.34P_{i}}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}} - {\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}{\left( {A^{j} + B^{j}} \right).}}}} & (42) \end{matrix}$

[0103] Discounting the annual policy premiums A_(i) ^(j) and B_(i) ^(j) for each policy to present value, expression (42) becomes $\begin{matrix} {{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\left\lbrack \frac{{\left( {1 - {0.34P_{i}}} \right) \times \Delta_{i}} - {\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\left( {A_{i}^{j} + B_{i}^{j}} \right)}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}} \right\rbrack.}}} & (43) \end{matrix}$

[0104] Although in the above expression the insurance premiums are discounted to present value using the same interest rates as are used for discounting the incremental profits Δ_(i), the discount rates may differ in some processes in accordance with the present invention.

[0105] The factor of about 0.66 or 66% in the above equations is empirical, derived from statistical observations. It is important to note that the invention is not limited to this probability factor of 66%. In every particular case all of the risk factors and other uncertainties can be evaluated using a decision tree analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, or a number of other tools and methods to arrive at the overall probability of success. Denoting by ps the probability of prevailing in a patent infringement litigation, we re-write the last equation in a more general form: $\begin{matrix} {{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\left\lbrack \frac{{\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {ps}} \right)}} \right) \times \Delta_{i}} - {\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\left( {A_{i}^{j} + B_{i}^{j}} \right)}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}} \right\rbrack.}}} & (44) \end{matrix}$

[0106] Let us now estimate the yield, or internal rate of return (IRR), of a patent portfolio, which is the interest rate y on a principal investment p that produces annual returns of C_(i) for years 1 through n. The equation below relates these parameters to each other: $\begin{matrix} {p = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}{\frac{C_{i}}{\left( {1 + y} \right)^{i}}.}}} & (45) \end{matrix}$

[0107] The equation can be solved for y through an iterative numerical process.

[0108]FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a simplified flowchart diagram of steps performed to estimate the adjusted present value of a portfolio. Economic data are provided to the system that performs the data processing steps, such as system 100 of FIG. 1, at step 401. The economic data may include the assumptions regarding the discount rate, and the annual sales volumes and profit margins under the conditions of patent monopoly and the hypothetical free market competition for the time of the applicable period. At step 402, the system is provided with the information bearing on the probability that the owner will enforce the portfolio. At step 403, the assumptions regarding the probabilities of the owner's prevailing against infringers are provided to the system. These assumptions may include the assumed probabilities that the patents of the portfolio will be found valid, infringed, and enforceable. At step 404, assumptions regarding probability of infringement are provided to the system. The system computes both the present value estimate and the adjusted present value estimate of the portfolio at step 405, using the expressions derived above, such as expressions (21), (27), and (40). At step 406 the system receives information regarding the presence and costs of patent-related insurance.

[0109] If the portfolio is not insured, the system branches at step 407 and outputs the computed results in step 411. If the portfolio is insured, the system determines the final adjusted value at step 408. Note that the final adjusted value includes the insurance information; it can be computed, for example, using expressions (41) through (44).

[0110] The annual return C_(i) is analogous to the annual value of the public franchise afforded by the patent portfolio. We can therefore use the previously obtained results for the annual value of a portfolio: $\begin{matrix} {{C_{i} = {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times \left( {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)}} \right) \times \Delta_{i}\quad \left( {{in}\quad {general}} \right)}},} & (46) \end{matrix}$

C _(i)=(1−P _(i)×(1−E×(1−(1−F _(v) ×F _(i) ×F _(e))^(n))))×Δ_(i)   (47)

[0111] (F_(i), F_(v), F_(e) are the same), and

[0112] $\begin{matrix} {C_{i} = {{\left( {1 - {0.34P_{i}}} \right) \times \Delta_{i}} - {\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}{\left( {A_{i}^{j} + B_{i}^{j}} \right)\quad {\left( {{{insurance}\quad {in}\quad {place}},{66\% \quad {success}\quad {probability}}} \right).}}}}} & (48) \end{matrix}$

[0113] The cost of a patent portfolio, p, includes the cost of preparing, filing, and prosecuting the applications, p_(p); and the cost of maintenance fees, such as filing fees, issue fees, and the periodic maintenance fees, p_(m). The true cost, however, should also account for the public disclosure of the invention(s). An undisclosed invention, if kept confidential, is a trade secret. And the value PV(TS) of this forfeited trade secret is the ultimate price paid for obtaining the patent(s). The cost of the patent or patent portfolio is the sum of the three terms:

P=PV(TS)+p _(p) +p _(m).   (49)

[0114] Expression (45) now takes on this form: $\begin{matrix} {{{{PV}({TS})} + p_{p} + p_{m}} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}{\frac{C_{i}}{\left( {1 + y} \right)^{i}}.}}} & (50) \end{matrix}$

[0115] The interest rate y that satisfies this equation is the yield or the internal rate of return of the patent portfolio.

[0116] The typical cost of patent prosecution is between $5,000 and $19,000 per patent. Over the life of the patent, the filing, issue, and periodic maintenance fees are about $7,740 for so-called large entities, and about $3,870 for small entities. These numbers allow us to quantify the p_(p) and p_(m) terms.

[0117]FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart diagram of the steps performed by a data processing system, such as the system 100, in computing the internal rate of return and net present value information. The data processing system receives the pertinent information and assumptions in steps 501 and 502, which information may include the prosecution and maintenance costs, the value of the trade secrets forfeited, and the economic assumptions about incremental annual value added by the portfolio. The system computes the net present value of the portfolio and the internal rate of return, at steps 503 and 504, respectively. The internal rate of return is computed from expression (50). The computed results are then outputted and/or stored at step 505.

[0118] When patent infringement occurs, the methodology developed can be further adjusted. In this event, a patent or patent portfolio may only be worth as much as one expects to recover in damages through litigation, less the cost of litigation, plus the value of a permanent injunction, if granted. If the permanent injunction is granted, the patent monopoly is restored and can be valued according to the methods of the present invention already discussed. One needs to keep in mind, however, that, as a practical matter, less than 4% of filed patent infringement cases go to trial, and issuance of an injunction is less common when cases that are resolved without a trial. Therefore, an injunction, although theoretically available by law as a remedy, is a rare occurrence.

[0119] If a permanent injunction is obtained in addition to the past damages PD, the value of the patent portfolio is $\begin{matrix} {{{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {{PD} - {CL} + {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times \left( {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{m}\quad \left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = k}^{l}\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}}}},} & (51) \end{matrix}$

[0120] where the summation over i now starts with the year k in which the patent monopoly is restored (the prior years are addressed by the past damages PD), and CL is the cost of patent litigation necessary to enforce the patent.

[0121] The cost of litigation may be forecasted based on well-known statistics. According to a survey conducted by the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) in the year 2000, the median cost of patent litigation in the U.S. is approximately two million dollars. Thus, the present value of the infringed patent portfolio may be estimated as $\begin{matrix} {{{AdjPV}({PP})} = {{PD} - {{\$ 2},000,000} + {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times 0.68}} \right)}} \right) \times {\sum\limits_{i = k}^{l}{\frac{\Delta_{i}}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}}}}} & (52) \end{matrix}$

[0122] The past damages PD can be of two kinds: (1) lost profits; and (2) reasonable royalties, where lost profits are not available or are lower than reasonable royalties, or where lost profits cannot be calculated with reasonable certainty. Lost profits are typically much larger than reasonable royalties. A careful analysis of the circumstances of the case in view of the then-available case law should be undertaken in order to ascertain the likelihood of obtaining lost profits. Generally, we can value the past damages according to this formula:

PD=Q×LP+(1−Q)×RR,   (53)

[0123] were Q is the probability of obtaining lost profits LP, and RR represents reasonable royalties. Thus calculated, past damages PD may then be used in the expressions (51) and (52).

[0124]FIG. 6 shows the steps of a process for computing an estimated value of a litigated patent portfolio in accordance with the above discussion.

[0125] The value of a patent or patent portfolio to a licensee depends on whether the license is exclusive or not. A non-exclusive licensee only acquires a covenant not to sue for patent infringement. To determine the value of a non-exclusive license where there is no known infringement, we forecast the future sales of the licensed product and apply reasonable royalties to the sales. The discounted present value of such future royalties is the value of a non-exclusive license to the licensor. In this case, the discount rate should not only reflect the time value of money (i.e., cost of capital) and the uncertainties associated with the licensee's business, but also the uncertainty of a hypothetical litigation, which is avoided by the license grant.

[0126] An exclusive licensee not only acquires a covenant not to sue, but also the right to a patent monopoly, which the licensee can enforce against others. In this case, the expressions obtained above produce the value estimates of such a patent or portfolio to the exclusive licensee. Note that the parameters used should now be related to the licensee.

[0127] A limited exclusive license, where the patent monopoly is limited, for example, to a certain industry, industry sector, or a geographical area, may be valued as a patent franchise using the methodology of the present invention. The value of such license is determined as an incremental value of a patent franchise, i.e., as the competitive advantage the franchise offers to the licensee within the competitive arena defined by the limitations of the license.

[0128]FIG. 7 illustrates a simplified flowchart of the steps for computing estimates of the adjusted present values of licensing opportunities in accordance with the discussion above.

[0129] Let us now turn to the issue of valuation of individual patents within an n-patent portfolio. One way to assign relative values to patents within the portfolio is on a pro rata basis: $\begin{matrix} {{{V(P)} \equiv {\frac{1}{n}{V({PP})}}} = {\frac{1}{n}{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\left\lbrack {\left( {\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} \right) - \left( {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}} \right)} \right\rbrack.}}}} & (54) \end{matrix}$

[0130] In practice, however, the distinctions among the patents may be drawn upon better to refine the individual value estimates.

[0131] We first note that ${{V({PP})} = {\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}{V\left( P^{j} \right)}}},$

[0132] where the value of a portfolio of n patents is described as the sum of values of each individual patent P^(j) in the portfolio. To account for the fact that the patents may be obtained and expire at different times, we consider the situation on an annual (or other periodic) basis, with the simplifying assumption that all patents are obtained on the first day of a year and they expire on the last day of a year. Thus, in any given year i the annual value of the public franchise, and therefore the annual value of the patent portfolio, is $\begin{matrix} {{\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}{V\left( P_{i}^{j} \right)}} = {\left( {\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} \right) - {\left( {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}} \right).}}} & (55) \end{matrix}$

[0133] The total value of the portfolio over its entire life is: $\begin{matrix} {{{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}{V\left( P_{i}^{j} \right)}}} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\left\lbrack {\left( {\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} \right) - \left( {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}} \right)} \right\rbrack}},} & (56) \end{matrix}$

[0134] where l is the total number of years of the portfolio is active (or of another applicable period).

[0135] Since addition is a commutative operation, the last expression can be rewritten as $\begin{matrix} {{{\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{V\left( P_{i}^{j} \right)}}} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\left\lbrack {\left( {\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} \right) - \left( {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}} \right)} \right\rbrack}},} & (57) \end{matrix}$

[0136] or as $\begin{matrix} {{\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}{V\left( P_{i}^{j} \right)}} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\left( {{{\langle R\rangle}_{i} \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} - {R_{i} \times S_{i}}} \right).}}} & (58) \end{matrix}$

[0137] Here, V(P^(j)) is the value of the j-th patent, P^(j), over its life. The previous expression gives the sum of values V of all portfolio patents P^(j). We solve this equation for V(P^(j)). To do that, let us first assume that all active (issued and non-expired) patents contribute equal value to the portfolio. We need to account for the fact that some of the patents may have been issued later than others and will expire later (or be invalidated earlier) than others. To do that, we shall introduce a matrix P, where rows correspond to years of the portfolio's life and columns correspond to the individual patents in the portfolio. If a particular patent is active in a particular year, we write into the corresponding cell of the matrix a positive number greater than zero and less than or equal to one; if the patent has not yet been issued or has already expired, we write “0”. In other words, the matrix element p_(i) ^(j) is positive (0<p_(i) ^(j)≦1) when, and only when, the jth patent is active in the year i; otherwise, it is 0. Since the value (normalized) of a patent portfolio does not depend on the number of its constituent patents, the values assigned to the individual cells of the matrix satisfy a simple rule: the sum of all elements in any row of the matrix is equal to a constant; let that constant be one. Let us call this matrix P a Patent Portfolio Weight Matrix.

[0138] For an example, consider a patent portfolio of three patents over a period of four years. Let us assume that during the first year, the portfolio has only one active patent P¹; during the second year, it has two patents P¹ and P² (the second patent just issued); during the third year, there is only one patent P² (the first patent expired at the end of the second year); and during the fourth year there are two patents: P² and P³. Let us reflect these facts in a table: Patent 1 Patent 2 Patent 3 Year 1 1 0 0 Year 2 0.5 0.5 0 Year 3 0 1 0 Year 4 0 0.5 0.5

[0139] Note that we have apportioned the values pro rata to the number of patents active that year. In the years 2 and 4, there are two patents active, and we therefore assigned values of 0.5 to each patent in those years, so as to satisfy our rule that the sum of row elements equals to one. In other words, the value in a given cell is 1/n, where n is the number of patents active that year.

[0140] In mathematical notation, the Patent Portfolio Weight Matrix P looks, in this case, as follows: $\begin{matrix} {P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0.5 & 0.5 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0.5 & 0.5 \end{pmatrix}} & (59) \end{matrix}$

[0141] Generally, the Patent Portfolio Weight Matrix P gives a complete picture of what patents are active in any given year over the life of the portfolio.

[0142] We have assumed here that all patents in the portfolio were active throughout the entire year. This is an oversimplification, as patents may issue and expire at any time during the year. To account for this reality, instead of 1/n, we can assign to an active patent a number weighted pro rata according to the number of months the patent was (or will be) active that year. For example, suppose that in the Patent Portfolio Weight Matrix above, the second patent issued in the beginning of July. Then, instead of 0.5, we can assign a weighted number of 0.25 to the second patent for the second year. This automatically raises the value of the first patent to 0.75 for the same year (assuming that the second patent expires at the end of that year). The new matrix looks like this: $\begin{matrix} {P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0.75 & 0.25 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0.5 & 0.5 \end{pmatrix}} & (60) \end{matrix}$

[0143] The other assumption, i.e., that all patents contribute equally to the portfolio, led us to assign the same value to each patent active for the same number of months during that particular year. This need not be so. Patents may have different values. One might not, for example, assign the same value to a broad patent on a basic technology as one would assign to a narrow patent on a relatively minor improvement in the technology. The relative number of claims (particularly, independent claims), the forward citation index, and other characteristics of the constituent patents affecting their respective relative values may be reflected in the numbers assigned. (The forward citation index is the number of subsequent patents that cite the patent in question.)

[0144] One test in determining the relative values of the patents in a portfolio is to ask and answer this question: How much of the monopoly will be lost if this particular patent is removed from the portfolio (sold, expired, or invalidated)? The broader the scope of the patent claims, the broader the monopoly secured by the patent and, therefore, the higher the relative value of this patent to the portfolio.

[0145] Individual patents may change their values during their terms. For example, a patent that emerges unscathed from a reexamination proceeding in the Patent & Trademark Office, with its presumption of validity de facto enhanced, may be worth more than it was worth before the reexamination. A patent that is upheld in the course of a legal challenge in the courts may increase in value even more. Conversely, a patent whose validity is being challenged (e.g, by a third-party initiation of ex parte reexamination proceedings) is worth less for as long as its validity is in doubt.

[0146] The Patent Portfolio Weight Matrix allows us to account both for individual patents having different values, relative to each other, and for patents having relative values that vary over their lives. To account for these differences, we can weight or assess each patent during each year, and assign different numbers, higher or lower values, to corresponding cells in the matrix P. When doing so, we follow the same normalization rule as above: the sum of all values in every row is equal to the same constant, such as one. For example, if, during the second year, the first patent accounted for only 40% of the portfolio value that year, while the second patent accounted for the remaining 60%, we would rewrite the matrix (59) as follows: $\begin{matrix} {P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0.4 & 0.6 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0.5 & 0.5 \end{pmatrix}} & (61) \end{matrix}$

[0147] If the second patent issues in July, as in matrix (60), we would have $\begin{matrix} {P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0.7 & 0.3 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0.5 & 0.5 \end{pmatrix}} & (62) \end{matrix}$

[0148] This matrix is a Patent Portfolio Weight Matrix P weighted with respect to individual patent contributions to the portfolio's value, both over time and in relative value.

[0149] In some processes in accordance with the resent invention, the Patent Portfolio Weight Matrix P can be further modified for present value calculations. Moreover, the weights can be further adjusted for relative probabilities P_(i), E and F, as was described above in relation to adjusting present value estimates.

[0150] Thus, the Patent Portfolio Weight Matrix P can provide a good picture of which patents are active in any given year over the life of the portfolio, as well as the patents' relative values or weights.

[0151] Since the sum of all elements in any row equals to one, the sum of all elements of the matrix is equal to the number of rows—i.e., to the total number of years in the life of the portfolio (commencing with the issuance of the first patent and terminating at the end of the term of the last patent to expire). We will call this number a Portfolio Life, L. Generally, L is the sum of all elements p^(j) _(i) (or, simply, the number of the rows) of the matrix P: $\begin{matrix} {L = {\sum\limits_{j\quad}^{\quad}{\sum\limits_{i}^{\quad}{p_{i}^{j}.}}}} & (63) \end{matrix}$

[0152] We will also introduce here a Patent Weight Index p^(j), defined as the sum of the values in a jth column of the matrix P $\begin{matrix} {p^{j} = {\sum\limits_{i}^{l}{p_{i}^{j}.}}} & (64) \end{matrix}$

[0153] Put differently, the Patent Weight Index p^(j) is the sum of all weighted values for a given patent throughout the life of the portfolio. It is a weighted contribution of the individual patent to the portfolio. The Portfolio Life L is the sum of all Patent Weight Indexes p^(j) for all constituent patents in the portfolio $L = {\sum\limits_{j}^{n}{p^{j}.}}$

[0154] If the average annual value of a patent portfolio is {overscore (V)}, then the value V(P^(j)) of an individual patent P^(j) is the Patent Weight Index p^(j) multiplied by the average annual value of an individual patent in the portfolio:

V(P ^(j))=p ^(j) ×{overscore (V)}.   (65)

[0155] The value of a patent portfolio is the sum of values of the individual patents: ${V({PP})} = {{\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{n}{p^{j} \times \overset{\_}{V}\quad {or}\quad {V({PP})}}} = {L \times {\overset{\_}{V}.}}}$

[0156] Because the value of the portfolio is also equal to the sum of the incremental values over the years, see for example expression (2) above, we arrive at the following formula for the average annual value of a patent portfolio {overscore (V)}: $\begin{matrix} {\overset{\_}{V} = {\frac{1}{L} \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\left\lbrack {\left( {\left( {{\langle{PR}_{i}\rangle} - {\langle{CG}_{i}\rangle}} \right) \times {\langle S_{i}\rangle}} \right) - \left( {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}} \right)} \right\rbrack.}}}} & (66) \end{matrix}$

[0157] Once the average annual patent value is known, substituting it in expression (65) yields the value of an individual patent P^(j): $\begin{matrix} {{{V\left( P^{j} \right)} = {\frac{1}{L} \times p^{j} \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\left\lbrack {\left( {\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}\rangle}_{i}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} \right) - \left( {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}} \right)} \right\rbrack}}}{or}} & (67) \\ {{V\left( P^{j} \right)} = {\frac{1}{L} \times p^{j} \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\Delta_{i}.}}}} & (68) \end{matrix}$

[0158] It is easy to see that for a single-patent portfolio, p^(j)=L, the value of the patent is equal to the value of the portfolio. In the case of a portfolio with n>1 patents of equal value, p^(j)/L=1/n, the expression (67) reverts to (54), as expected.

[0159] The present value of a patent is given by this expression: $\begin{matrix} {{{PV}\left( P^{j} \right)} = {\frac{p^{j}}{L} \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}{\frac{\left\lbrack {\left( {\left( {{\langle{PR}\rangle}_{i} - {\langle{CG}_{i}\rangle}} \right) \times {\langle S\rangle}_{i}} \right) - \left( {\left( {{PR}_{i} - {CG}_{i}} \right) \times S_{i}} \right)} \right\rbrack}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}.}}}} & (69) \end{matrix}$

[0160] In the case similar to an ordinary annuity, where the incremental annual value of the public franchise Δ_(i) and the annual discount rate I_(i) remain constant (Δ_(i)=Δ and I_(i)=I) throughout the life of the portfolio, the last expression can be simplified: $\begin{matrix} {{{PV}\left( P^{j} \right)} = {\frac{p^{j}}{L} \times {{\Delta \left\lbrack \frac{1 - \left\lbrack \frac{1}{\left( {1 + I} \right)^{l}} \right\rbrack}{I} \right\rbrack}.}}} & (70) \end{matrix}$

[0161]FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a simplified flowchart of a method for estimating the value of an individual constituent patent of a patent portfolio.

[0162] The methods and apparatuses of the present invention, or certain aspects or portions thereof, can be implemented or practiced on a computer or a plurality of computers interconnected by a network. Optionally, the methods and apparatuses of the present invention can be implemented or practiced within a client/server environment.

[0163] Furthermore, the methods and apparatuses may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention may also be embodied in the form of program code that is transmitted over some transmission medium, for example, over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously to specific logic circuits.

[0164] The methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture described in this document can be employed to estimate values of various patent claims, patents, and patent portfolios. The methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture can be employed to determine values of patents and claims characterized as utility, design, apparatus, method, article of manufacture, and business method patents and claims, or any combination thereof. In connection with the classification of business method patents, such patents include those directed to data processing operations, in which there is a significant change in the data or for performing calculation operations wherein the apparatus or method is uniquely designed for or utilized in the practice, administration, or management of an enterprise, or in the processing of financial data. This classification also provides for apparatus and corresponding methods for performing data processing or calculating operations in which a charge for goods or services is determined.

[0165] This document describes the inventive methods in considerable detail for illustration purposes only. Neither the specific embodiments and methods of the invention as a whole, nor those of its features limit the general principles underlying the invention. The specific features described herein may be used in some embodiments, but not in others, without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth. Various physical arrangements of components and various step sequences also fall within the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the invention applies to patent portfolios of any number of patents, including single-patent portfolios. Many additional modifications are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed in the absence of a corresponding use of other features. The illustrative examples therefore do not define the metes and bounds of the invention and the legal protection afforded the invention, which function has been reserved for the following claims and their equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A method of computing a patent valuation estimate of a patent monopoly over an applicable period comprising a plurality of subperiods, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a plurality of subperiodic incremental values of the patent monopoly, each subperiodic incremental value being associated with a different subperiod, by computing subperiodic differences between profits derived from goods covered by the patent monopoly under conditions of the patent monopoly and corresponding profits in a hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly; (b) determining discount interest rates for each subperiod of the applicable period, based on uncertainties associated with forecasting future revenues and risk of infringement of the patent monopoly; and (c) computing a discounted present value of the patent monopoly as aggregate present value of the subperiodic incremental values of the patent monopoly by discounting each of the subperiodic incremental values to present value using the discount interest rate of the subperiod associated with said each subperiodic incremental value, and aggregating the discounted subperiodic incremental values.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the patent monopoly covers a product.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the patent monopoly covers a process.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the patent monopoly covers a business method.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the profits derived from the goods covered by the patent monopoly under conditions of the monopoly and the corresponding profits in a hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly are net profits.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the profits derived from the goods covered by the patent monopoly under conditions of the monopoly and the corresponding profits in a hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly are gross profits.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the subperiodic incremental values are calculated according to the formula AV_(i)(P)=(<PR>_(i)−<CG>_(i))×<S>_(i)−(PR_(i)−CG_(i))×S_(i), wherein: (a) AV_(i)(P) denotes a subperiodic incremental value associated with subperiod i; (b) <PR>_(i) denotes an average unit price of the goods during the subperiod i under the patent monopoly; (c) <CG>_(i) denotes average cost of the goods per unit during the subperiod i under the patent monopoly; (d) <S>_(i) denotes sales volume of the goods, in units, during the subperiod i under the patent monopoly; (e) PR_(i) denotes an average unit price of the goods during the subperiod i under the hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly; (f) CG_(i) denotes average cost of the goods per unit during the subperiod i under the hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly; and (g) S_(i) denotes sales volume of the goods, in units, during the subperiod i under the hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein: (a) each of the discount rates is equal to a first constant I, (b) each of the subperiodic incremental values is equal to a second constant Δ, (c) the applicable period consists of l subperiods, (e) the step of computing a discounted present value comprises a step of computing the discounted present value of the patent monopoly according to the following formula: ${{{PV}(P)} = {\Delta \left\lbrack \frac{1 - \left\lbrack \frac{1}{\left( {1 + I} \right)^{l}} \right\rbrack}{I} \right\rbrack}},$

wherein PV(P) denotes the discounted present value of the patent monopoly.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining discount interest rates comprises the step of determining discount interest rates for said each subperiod of the applicable period, based on uncertainties associated with forecasting future revenues, risk of infringement of the patent monopoly, and uncertainties of patent infringement litigation.
 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the discount interest rates are in the range of between about ten percent and about fifty percent.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the patent monopoly is provided by a plurality of patents owned by an owner.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the profits derived from the goods covered by the patent monopoly under conditions of the monopoly and the corresponding profits in a hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly are net profits.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the profits derived from the goods covered by the patent monopoly under conditions of the monopoly and the corresponding profits in a hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly are gross profits.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the subperiodic incremental values are calculated according to the formula AV_(i)(P)=(<PR>_(i)−<CG>_(i))×<S>_(i)−(PR_(i)−CG_(i))×S_(i), wherein: (a) AV_(i)(P) denotes a subperiodic incremental value associated with subperiod i; (b) <PR>_(i) denotes an average unit price of the goods during the subperiod i under the patent monopoly; (c) <CG>_(i) denotes average cost of the goods per unit during the subperiod i under the patent monopoly; (d) <S>_(i) denotes sales volume of the goods, in units, during the subperiod i under the patent monopoly; (e) PR_(i) denotes an average unit price of the goods during the subperiod i under the hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly; (f) CG_(i) denotes average cost of the goods per unit during the subperiod i under the hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly; and (g) S_(i) denotes sales volume of the goods, in units, during the subperiod i under the hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of adjusting the discounted present value of the patent monopoly by a probability that at least one of the plurality of patents will be infringed within the applicable period.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of adjusting the discounted present value of the patent monopoly by a probability that the owner will not enforce said at least one of the plurality of patents after said at least one of the plurality of patents is infringed within the applicable period.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of adjusting the discounted present value of the patent monopoly by a probability that the owner will not prevail in a litigation to enforce said at least one of the plurality of patents after said at least one of the plurality of patents is infringed within the applicable period.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step for adjusting the discounted present value of the patent monopoly by (a) a probability of the patents of the plurality of patents being infringed within the applicable period, (b) a probability that the owner will not enforce the patents of the plurality of patents within the applicable period, and (c) a probability that the owner will not prevail when enforcing the patents of the plurality of patents.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of adjusting the discounted present value of the patent monopoly, to obtain an adjusted present value of the patent monopoly, according to the following formula: ${{{AdjPV}\left( {P\quad P} \right)} = {E \times F \times {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left( {{\langle{PRFT}\rangle}_{i} - {PRFT}_{i}} \right)}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}}},$

wherein: (a) AdjPV(PP) denotes the adjusted present value of the patent monopoly; (b) E denotes a probability that the owner will enforce the patents of the plurality of patents within the applicable period; (c) F denotes a probability that the owner will prevail when enforcing the patents of the plurality of patents within the applicable period; (d) i denotes the consecutive number of said each subperiod of the applicable period; (e) I_(i) denotes the discount interest rate for said each subperiod i; (f) <PRFT>_(i) denotes the profits derived from sales of goods covered by the patent monopoly under conditions of the monopoly during said each subperiod i; and (g) PRFT_(i) denotes the profits derived from the sales of goods covered by the patent monopoly in the hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the probability E that the owner will enforce the patents of the plurality of patents within the applicable period depends on a probability E_(w) of the owner being willing to enforce the patent monopoly during the applicable period.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the probability E that the owner will enforce the patents of the plurality of patents within the applicable period depends on a probability E_(a) of the owner being able to enforce the patent monopoly during the applicable period.
 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising a step of computing E by multiplying a probability E_(w) of the owner being willing to enforce the patent monopoly during the applicable period by a probability E_(a) of the owner being able to enforce the patent monopoly during the applicable period.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the probability F that the owner will prevail when enforcing the patents of the plurality of patents within the applicable period depends on a probability F_(i) that at least one of the patents of the plurality of patents will be found infringed during the applicable period.
 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the probability F that the owner will prevail when enforcing the patents of the plurality of patents within the applicable period depends on a probability F_(v) that at least one of the patents of the plurality of patents will be found not invalid.
 25. The method of claim 19, wherein the probability F that the owner will prevail when enforcing the patents of the plurality of patents within the applicable period depends on a probability F_(e) that at least one of the patents of the plurality of patents will be found not unenforceable.
 26. The method of claim 19, wherein the probability F depends on (a) a probability F_(i) that at least one of the patents of the plurality of patents will be found infringed during the applicable period, (b) a probability F_(v) that at least one of the patents of the plurality of patents will be found not invalid, and (c) a probability F_(e) that at least one of the patents of the plurality of patents will be found not unenforceable.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising a step of computing the probability F according to the following formula ${F = {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)}}},$

wherein: (a) the plurality of patents comprises 1 through n patents; (b) F_(i) ^(j) denotes a probability that jth patent of the plurality of patents will be found infringed during the applicable period, for 1≦j≦n; (c) F_(v) ^(j) denotes a probability that jth patent of the plurality of patents will be found not invalid, for 1≦j≦n; and (d) F_(e) ^(j) denotes a probability that jth patent of the plurality of patents will be found not unenforceable, for 1≦j≦n.
 28. The method of claim 26, further comprising a step of computing the probability F according to the following formula: F=1−(1−F_(v)×F_(i)×F_(e))^(n), wherein: (a) the plurality of patents comprises 1 through n patents; (b) F_(i) denotes a probability that any individual patent of the plurality if patents will be found infringed during the applicable period; (c) F_(v) denotes a probability that any individual patent of the plurality of patents will be found not invalid; and (d) F_(e) denotes a probability that any individual patent of the plurality of patents will be found not unenforceable.
 29. A method of computing an estimated yield of a patent portfolio comprising at least one patent, the patent portfolio providing a patent monopoly, over an applicable period of a plurality of l subperiods, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a plurality of cash returns generated by the patent portfolio during the subperiods, one cash return per subperiod; (b) determining a cost of the patent portfolio; and (c) solving the following equation for the estimated yield through an iterative process ${p = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{C_{i}}{\left( {1 + y} \right)^{i}}}},$

wherein: (i) p denotes the cost of the patent portfolio; (ii) y denotes the estimated yield; and (iii) C_(i) denotes a cash return of the portfolio for subperiod i.
 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising a step of computing C_(i) according to the following formula: C_(i)=(<PR>_(i)−<CG>_(i))×<S>_(i)−(PR_(i)−CG_(i))×S_(i), wherein: (a) <PR>_(i) denotes an average unit price of goods covered by the patent portfolio during subperiod i under patent monopoly of the patent portfolio; (b) <CG>_(i) denotes average cost of the goods per unit during the subperiod i under the patent monopoly; (c) <S>_(i) denotes unit sales volume of the goods during the subperiod i under the patent monopoly; (d) PR_(i) denotes an average unit price of the goods during the subperiod i in a hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly; (e) CG_(i) denotes average cost of the goods per unit during the subperiod i in the hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly; and (f) S_(i) denotes unit sales volume of the goods during the subperiod i in the hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein C_(i) is adjusted for a risk of patent infringement.
 32. The method of claim 29, wherein C_(i) comprises royalties paid by a licensee of the patent portfolio.
 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the cost of the patent portfolio p comprises the cost of purchasing the patent portfolio.
 34. The method of claim 29, wherein the cost of the patent portfolio p comprises the cost of research and development of inventions protected by the patent portfolio.
 35. The method of claim 29, wherein the cost of the patent portfolio comprises the cost of applying for the at least one patent of the portfolio.
 36. The method of claim 29, wherein the cost of the patent portfolio comprises the cost of prosecuting the at least one patent of the portfolio.
 37. The method of claim 29, wherein the cost of the patent portfolio comprises the cost of maintaining the at least one patent of the portfolio.
 38. The method of claim 29, wherein the cost of the patent portfolio comprises values of trade secrets disclosed in one or more patent applications that issued as the at least one patent of the portfolio.
 39. A method for computing a present value estimate of a patent monopoly, comprising the steps of: (a) determining an estimated incremental annual value of the patent monopoly; and (b) multiplying the estimated incremental annual value of the patent monopoly by a factor of about four.
 40. A method of computing a patent value estimate of a patent monopoly over an applicable period of at least two years, the method comprising the steps of: (a) estimating an average annual incremental value of the patent monopoly by computing an average difference between estimated profits derived from goods covered by the patent monopoly under conditions of the monopoly and estimated profits derived from the goods covered by the patent monopoly in an environment without the patent monopoly; and (b) multiplying the average annual incremental value of the patent monopoly by a factor of about 3.9 to obtain the patent value estimate.
 41. A method of computing an adjusted present value estimate of a patent monopoly provided by a portfolio of n patents over an applicable period comprising a plurality of subperiods, the portfolio belonging to an owner, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a plurality of subperiodic incremental values of the patent monopoly, each subperiodic incremental value being associated with a different subperiod, by computing subperiodic differences, for each subperiod, between profits derived from goods covered by the patent monopoly under conditions of the monopoly and corresponding profits in a hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly; (b) determining discount interest rates for said each subperiod, based on uncertainties associated with forecasting future revenues and risk of infringement of the patent monopoly; (c) computing a discounted present value of the patent monopoly as the present value of the aggregate subperiodic incremental values of the patent monopoly by discounting each of the subperiodic incremental values to present value using the discount interest rate of the subperiod associated with said each subperiodic incremental value, and aggregating the discounted subperiodic incremental values according to the following formula ${{{PV}\left( {P\quad P} \right)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{l}\frac{\left( {{\langle{PRFT}\rangle}_{i} - {PRFT}_{i}} \right)}{\left( {1 + I_{i}} \right)^{i}}}},$

wherein: (i) PV(PP) denotes the discounted present value of the patent monopoly, (ii) i denotes sequential number of said each subperiod, (iii) I_(i) denotes the discount interest rate for said each subperiod i, (iv) <PRFT>_(i) denotes the profits derived from the goods covered by the patent monopoly under conditions of the monopoly during said each subperiod i, (v) PRFT_(i) denotes the profits derived from the goods covered by the patent monopoly in a hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly, and (vi)l is a number of years remaining in the portfolio's life; (d) determining a probability P_(i) that at least one patent of the portfolio will be infringed during the applicable period; (e) determining a probability E_(a) that the owner will have financial ability to enforce the patent portfolio if the portfolio is infringed; (f) determining a probability E_(w) that the owner will have resolve to enforce the patent portfolio; (g) determining for each patent of the portfolio a probability that said each patent will not be found invalid; (h) determining for said each patent of the portfolio a probability that said each patent will not be found unenforceable; (i) determining for said each patent of the portfolio a probability that said each patent will be found infringed; and (j) computing the adjusted present value estimate of the patent portfolio in accordance with the following formula: ${{{AdjPV}\left( {P\quad P} \right)} = {\left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E_{a} \times E_{w} \times \left( {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)}} \right) \times {{PV}\left( {P\quad P} \right)}}},$

wherein: (i) AdjPV(PP) denotes the adjusted present value estimate; (ii) F_(v) ^(j) denotes a probability that jth patent will not be found invalid; (iii) F_(i) ^(j) denotes a probability that jth patent will be found infringed during the applicable period; (iv) F_(e) ^(j) denotes a probability that jth patent will not be found unenforceable.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein at least one of P_(i), E_(a), and E_(w) is equal to unity.
 43. The method of claim 41, further comprising a step of computing said number of years l as the number of years remaining until expiration of the last to expire patent of the portfolio.
 44. The method of claim 41, further comprising a step of estimating said number of years l as the number of years remaining until expected end of economic life of goods protected by the portfolio.
 45. The method of claim 41, wherein F_(v) ^(j) equals a constant F_(v) for all patents of the portfolio.
 46. The method of claim 41, wherein F_(e) ^(j) equals a constant F_(e) for all patents of the portfolio.
 47. The method of claim 41, wherein F_(i) ^(j) equals a constant F_(i) for all patents of the portfolio.
 48. A computer-implemented method for computing an adjusted patent value estimate of a patent monopoly over an applicable period, the method comprising the following steps: (a) a step for providing data for computing a present value estimate of the value of the patent monopoly; (b) a step for computing the present value estimate; (c) a step for providing data for computing an adjustment factor for the present value estimate; (d) a step for computing the adjustment factor; and (e) multiplying the present value estimate by the adjustment factor to obtain an adjusted patent value estimate.
 49. An apparatus for computing a patent value estimate of a patent monopoly provided by a portfolio of n patents over an applicable period comprising a plurality of subperiods, the apparatus comprising: (a) a processor; (b) an input device coupled to the processor, the input device being capable of providing information to the processor; and (c) an output device coupled to the processor; wherein, when the processor receives, through the input device, a plurality of discount interest rates, one discount interest rate per subperiod, the discount interest rates being based on uncertainties associated with forecasting future revenues and risk of infringement of the patent monopoly; a plurality of monopolistic profit measures, each monopolistic profit measure being associated with a different subperiod, said each monopolistic profit measure being an estimate of profits from goods covered by the patent monopoly under conditions of the monopoly; a plurality of non-monopolistic profit measures, each non-monopolistic profit measure being associated with a different subperiod, said each non-monopolistic profit measure being an estimate of profits from the goods covered by the patent monopoly in a hypothetical environment without the patent monopoly, the processor (i) computes a plurality of subperiodic incremental values, one subperiodic incremental value per each subperiod, by subtracting the non-monopolistic profit measure of said each subperiod from the monopolistic profit measure of said each subperiod, (ii) computes a plurality of discounted subperiodic incremental values, one discounted subperiodic incremental value per subperiod, by discounting each of the subperiodic incremental values to present value using the discount interest rate of the subperiod with which said each subperiodic incremental value is associated, and (iii)aggregates all the discounted subperiodic incremental values to result in a present value estimate of the value of the patent monopoly.
 50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: the processor further receives, through the input device, a patent infringement probability P_(i), the patent infringement probability being the probability that the patent portfolio will be infringed within the applicable period; the processor further receives, through the input device, an enforcement probability E, the enforcement probability E being the probability that the patent monopoly will be enforced if infringed within the applicable period; the processor further receives at least one patent validity probability F_(v) ^(j), one patent validity probability per patent of the portfolio, each patent validity probability being associated with a different patent of the portfolio, said each patent validity probability F_(v) ^(j) being the probability that the patent with which said each patent validity probability is associated will not be held invalid if challenged; the processor further receives at least one individual infringement probability F_(i) ^(j), one individual infringement probability per patent of the portfolio, each individual infringement probability being associated with a different patent of the portfolio, said each individual infringement probability F_(i) ^(j) being the probability that the patent with which said each individual infringement probability is associated will be held infringed when asserted against an infringer during the applicable period; the processor further receives at least one patent enforcement probability F_(e) ^(j), one patent enforcement probability per patent of the portfolio, each patent enforcement probability being associated with a different patent of the portfolio, said each patent enforcement probability F_(e) ^(j) being the probability that the patent with which said each patent enforcement probability is associated will not be held unenforceable; the processor computes a risk-adjustment factor RAF from the following formula: ${{RAF} = \left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times \left( {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)},$

where the running variable j corresponds to the patents of the portfolio; and the processor computes an adjusted present value estimate of the patent monopoly by multiplying the risk-adjustment factor RAF by the present value estimate of the value of the patent monopoly.
 51. A method for computing an estimate of value of a patent portfolio comprising n patents, n being at least one, the patent portfolio providing a patent monopoly to an owner of the portfolio, the patent monopoly resulting in a stream of estimated profits <PRFT>_(i) over an applicable period in a marketplace subject to the patent monopoly, the patent monopoly resulting in a stream of estimated profits PRFT_(i) over the applicable period in a hypothetical marketplace not subject to the patent monopoly, the portfolio having an estimated probability P_(i) of being infringed during the applicable period, the owner being associated with a probability E of enforcing the portfolio in case of infringement, each patent of the portfolio being associated with a probability F_(v) ^(j) of being found not invalid, a probability F_(e) ^(j) of being found not unenforceable, and a probability F_(i) ^(j) of being found infringed in case of infringement during the applicable period, where the superscript j denotes a specific patent of the portfolio, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining value of (<PRFT>_(i)−PRFT_(i)) for each part period of the applicable period; (b) determining a discount rate for said each part period; (c) discounting to present value each determined value of (<PRFT>_(i)−PRFT_(i) ) by the determined discount rate for said each part period; (d) aggregating all the discounted determined values to obtain an estimate of a discounted present value PV(PP) of the patent portfolio; (e) computing a risk-adjusted factor RAF according to the following formula: ${{RAF} = \left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {1 - {E \times \left( {1 - {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - {F_{v}^{j} \times F_{i}^{j} \times F_{e}^{j}}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)}} \right)};$

and (f) computing the estimate of value of the portfolio by multiplying PV(PP) and RAF.
 52. An article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable storage medium with instruction code stored in the medium, said instruction code, when executed by a data processing apparatus comprising a processor and an input device coupled to the processor, enabling the data processing apparatus to carry out the method of claim
 51. 53. A method for computing an estimate of value for a patent portfolio comprising n patents, n being at least one, the patent portfolio providing a patent monopoly to an owner of the portfolio, the patent monopoly resulting in a stream of estimated profits <PRFT>_(i) over an applicable period in a marketplace subject to the patent monopoly, the patent monopoly resulting in a stream of estimated profits PRFT_(i) over the applicable period in a hypothetical marketplace not subject to the patent monopoly, the portfolio having an estimated probability P_(i) of being infringed during the applicable period, each patent of the portfolio being associated with a probability F_(v) ^(j) of being found not invalid, a probability F_(e) ^(j) of being found not unenforceable, and a probability F_(i) ^(j) of being found infringed in case of infringement during the applicable period, where the superscript j denotes a specific patent of the portfolio, the patents of the portfolio being insured against risks of infringement and risks of being found invalid or unenforceable, said each patent being associated with a stream of premiums A_(i) ^(j) over the applicable period for insuring against the risk of being found invalid or unenforceable, said each patent being associated with a stream of premiums B_(i) ^(j) over the applicable period for insuring against the risk of being infringed, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining value of (<PRFT>_(i)−PRFT_(i)) for each part period of the applicable period; (b) determining a profit discount rate for said each part period; (c) discounting to present value each determined value of (<PRFT>_(i)−PRFT_(i)) by the profit discount rate for said each part period; (d) aggregating all the discounted determined values to obtain an estimate of an unadjusted discounted present value PV(PP) of the patent portfolio; (e) determining an insurance premium discount rate for said each part period; (f) discounting to present value the stream of premiums A_(i) ^(j) and B_(i) ^(j) by the insurance premium discount rates to obtain a present value of insurance premiums; (g) computing a risk-adjusted factor RAF according to the following formula: ${{RAF} = \left( {1 - {P_{i} \times \left( {\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{n}\quad \left( {1 - F_{i}^{j}} \right)} \right)}} \right)};$

(h) multiplying the RAF by PV(PP) to obtain an intermediate adjusted discounted present value′ and (i) subtracting the present value of insurance premiums from the intermediate adjusted discounted value to obtain an adjusted and discounted present value of the patent portfolio.
 54. An article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable storage medium with instruction code stored in the medium, said instruction code, when executed by a data processing apparatus comprising a processor and an input device coupled to the processor, enabling the data processing apparatus to carry out the method of claim
 53. 